Get Your Popcorn Ready...


Wow. Now how entertaining is this gonna be? The NFL's two biggest reality stars will now team up on the same field this fall. Last week, Terrell Owens signed a 1-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. As I said last week...T.O. may be getting a littlebit older, but he can still make an impact in this league. He can still draw double teams, which will make Cincinnatti's offense very tough to stop. In addition to Owens and Chad Ochocinco...you've got Antonio Bryant, Andre Caldwell,  rookies Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Gresham and also Cedric Benson to hand the ball off too. Throw in the 4th ranked defense in the NFL last year and it sounds like they could make a championship run. But it's all on the shouders of the quarterback Carson Palmer. He has all the weapons he needs to get it done. No more excuses this time buddy.






A Step Slow?


Albert Haynesworth should feel embarassed. The Washington Redskins defensive tackle failed another conditioning test, a test that he needs to pass before he can start training camp. Now don't get me wrong, a test like this would be much easier to pass....say if you were a wide receiver or a defensive back. So I guess it would be more difficult for a guy like Haynesworth who is listed at 350lbs, but I would imagine is even bigger than that. But the fact of the matter is that he's a professional athlete. This is what he does for a living. He signed a contract worth 100 million dollars. And all he has to do is show up in shape and ready to play? You, Mr Haynesworth....need to be ashamed of yourself.  






Show Me the Money


I've been noticing that a lot of rookies have signed their NFL contracts and are getting into training camp on time. That's what I like to see. In previous years, there have been a lot of contract  holdouts meaning that you have a lot of guys not in camp. It's important for rookies to get into camp, because of the learning curve they have ahead. Forming chemistry with their teammates. Building relationships with the coaches. Most rookies that get into camp on time seem to make more of an impact on the field their first year.



Speaking of rookies...over the weekend, I saw #1 draft pick Sam Bradford sign a contract for 78 million with 50 million guaranteed! Wowsers! Are you kidding me? What is the world coming too? Sam Bradford hasn't even taken 1 snap on the field and you give a rookie 50 million guaranteed??




And then the Jets don't even want to pay Darrelle Revis, who in my opinion is the best cornerback in the league. Revis is holding out of Jets camp because he wants to be one the highest paid corners in the NFL. I don't usually agree with guys holding out, but in this case Revis has a point. He's due to receive only a million dollars this season. So Sam Bradford gets 50 million guaranteed and Darelle Revis get 1 mil next season? Yeah Ok, that makes a lot of sense...






Big Ten Championship


Finally...something a lot of us were waiting on...a championship game in the Big Ten football conference. It was announced today by the commissioner at the Big Ten media day in Chicago. It should start next year after Nebraska joins the conference. Now the Big Ten must get creative and divide the league into 2 groups with the winner of each meeting in the title game. It's pretty much a given that Ohio State and Michigan will have to be in the same group, to ensure that they don't meet in the title game. If they met twice a year, it would take away from the great rivlalry that they have in my opinion. Good move by the Big Ten.





3rd time a charm?


Former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is scheduled to walk on at The University of Mississippi. While he is a good talent on the field, unfortunately he's had trouble off the field. He was arrested and charged in his role of stealing 2 laptop computers and a guitar from a fraternity house. He was given another chance and was then kicked off the team for marijuana possession after a traffic stop. Most players don't get a second chance, let alone a 3rd chance, so hopefully he makes the best out of it. He should be a perfect fit for the "Wild Rebel" offense that coach Houston Nutt runs at Ole Miss.






Tragic Loss


What a sad story. Former NBA center Lorenzen Wright was killed last week in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. His body was found in a wooded area, several days after his family had reported him missing. Wright was a journeyman in the NBA, and seemed to be admired by those around him. While all the details aren't clear about exactly what happened, Wright was last seen at his ex-wife's home carrying a large sum of money. He left the home with 3 armed men and they threatened to kill his ex-wife if she said anything. A 911 call was later placed from Wright's phone and you could hear a garbled male's voice, then as many as a dozen gunshots shortly after. Wright's family is upset and has every right to be upset with authorities because no one came to the scene after hearing the gunshots over the 911 tape. It maybe could have saved him. It certainly was worth a try. Wright leaves behind 6 children. R.I.P.







Have You Seen Him?.....Tell Me Have You Seen Him...


My UPH partner Mr. Harvey knows this one all too well. Former #2 draft pick. 3-time NBA all-star. One of the toughest match-ups in the league because of his deadly crossover and his jaw droping athletic ability. He paired with Cuttino Mobley in Houston to form one of the best backcourts in the league. His name is Steve Francis. What happened to him? I know he played with Knicks a few years back. I haven't seen him do any interviews lately or nothing. Well, wherever you are Steve Francis...I hope all is well my brotha.


Till next time folks!



D. Goard Jr.